2026 Honda Pilot Guide: Seating, Towing and Specs
The 2026 Honda Pilot is a three-row SUV with a V6, room for up to eight and available all-wheel drive. If you drive around Victorville, Hesperia or Apple Valley with a full family, here is what Honda says the Pilot offers, in one place.
- 285 hp from the 3.5L V6
- 5,000 lbs towing with all-wheel drive, per Honda
- Up to 8 seats on most trims
Table of Contents
2026 Honda Pilot Specs at a Glance
Every 2026 Pilot shares the same powertrain. Here are the numbers Honda lists.
| Spec | 2026 Honda Pilot |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L V6, 24-valve DOHC |
| Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters |
| Screens | 12.3-inch touchscreen, 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gallons, regular unleaded |
Seating and Cargo Space
The Pilot seats eight on most trims, and the TrailSport seats seven with second-row captain’s chairs. Honda lists the cargo volume below, in cubic feet.
| Cargo area | Standard | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Behind the third row | 18.6 | 21.8 to 22.4 |
| Behind the second row | 48.5 | 59.5 to 60.1 |
| Behind the first row | 86.5 to 87.0 | 111.8 to 113.7 |
For High Desert families, that means room for people and the gear that comes with weekends away, including coolers, camping bags and sports equipment. Fold the third row down and the cargo area grows quickly.
Fuel Economy
| Drivetrain | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front-wheel drive | 19 | 27 | 22 |
| All-wheel drive (non-TrailSport) | 19 | 25 | 21 |
| TrailSport all-wheel drive | 18 | 23 | 20 |
EPA-estimated mpg. Your mileage will vary.
Towing and All-Wheel Drive
Honda lists 3,500 pounds of towing for front-wheel drive and 5,000 pounds for all-wheel drive. The second-generation i-VTM4 system is available on the Sport and EX-L and standard on the other trims. The TrailSport adds Trail Torque Logic and lists 8.3 inches of ground clearance, compared with 7.3 inches on most other all-wheel-drive trims.
If you tow regularly, ask us how a specific trim is equipped, since towing requires accessory equipment.
Trims and What Sets Them Apart
- TrailSport: Honda lists Trail Torque Logic, a full-size spare, skid plates, a hitch receiver, a Multiview camera, TrailWatch™ and seven-seat seating.
- Elite and Black Edition: Honda lists perforated leather with Ultrasuede accents, ventilated front seats, a heads-up display and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.
- All trims: Honda Sensing® is standard, including Collision Mitigation Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Blind Spot Information and Traffic Jam Assist.
Ask us about the trims on the lot. Our team can walk you through which features come on which trim.
Who the Pilot Fits
- Families: eight-passenger seating and a large cargo area behind the second and third rows.
- Weekend drivers: a V6 and a 10-speed automatic for highway trips out of Victorville.
- Light towers: up to 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive, with the right equipment.
See Honda’s full model lineup on our 2026 Honda Pilot page. Weighing the Pilot against a two-row SUV? Read our 2026 Honda Pilot vs 2027 Honda Passport comparison.
Honest Limits
- The Pilot is a V6 SUV, so fuel economy sits in the low 20s combined according to Honda’s EPA estimates.
- All-wheel drive helps with traction but does not replace careful driving.
- Towing tops out at 5,000 pounds and requires accessory equipment, so larger trailers call for a different vehicle.
- The TrailSport is built for dirt roads and light trails, not heavy rock crawling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many people does the 2026 Honda Pilot seat?
Honda lists seating for eight on most trims and seven on the TrailSport, which uses second-row captain’s chairs.
Q: How much can the 2026 Honda Pilot tow?
Honda lists a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds for front-wheel drive and 5,000 pounds for all-wheel drive. Towing requires accessory equipment and varies by configuration, so check your Owner’s Manual.
Q: What engine does the 2026 Honda Pilot have?
Every 2026 Pilot has a 3.5L V6 that Honda lists at 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Q: What is the 2026 Honda Pilot’s fuel economy?
Honda lists EPA estimates of 19 city, 27 highway and 22 combined mpg for front-wheel drive, 19, 25 and 21 for most all-wheel-drive trims, and 18, 23 and 20 for the TrailSport. Your mileage will vary.
Q: Does the 2026 Honda Pilot have all-wheel drive?
Yes. Honda lists second-generation i-VTM4 all-wheel drive as available on the Sport and EX-L and standard on the other trims. The TrailSport adds Trail Torque Logic.
EPA-estimated fuel economy is for comparison only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive, road conditions and vehicle condition. Towing capacity varies by configuration and requires accessory equipment; see your Owner’s Manual. AWD cannot provide traction in every situation. Always drive for the conditions. Honda Sensing®, i-VTM4® and TrailWatch™ are trademarks of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Information is based on Honda’s published 2026 Pilot specifications and is subject to change.
Ready to see one in person? Visit Valley Hi Honda at 15710 Valley Park Ln in Victorville, call (760) 962-9600, browse new Honda inventory, or get a value for your trade. New 2026 Pilots are on the lot now, but inventory changes often, so call before you visit.
© Valley Hi Honda. All rights reserved.
0 comment(s) so far on 2026 Honda Pilot Guide: Seating, Towing and Specs